Praise does not come lightly from Sir Curtly Ambrose.
So when the legendary West Indies fast-bowling icon describes a young cricketer as “a wonderful talent,” people across the Caribbean cricket landscape tend to listen carefully.
This week, Sir Curtly reserved that distinction for Barbados Pride batter Kevin Wickham, whose extraordinary start to the 2026 West Indies Championship has rapidly transformed him from promising prospect into one of the competition’s biggest stories.
The 23-year-old left-hander has opened the season in breathtaking fashion, piling up three consecutive centuries against the Jamaica Scorpions in the ongoing regional first-class campaign.
Wickham’s record-breaking start
Wickham announced himself emphatically in the opening match of the series with a commanding 153 in the first innings before returning to produce an unbeaten 108 in the second.
The twin centuries placed him in elite Barbadian company.
By scoring hundreds in both innings of the same first-class match, Wickham joined only Ryan Hinds and current Barbados Pride captain Kraigg Brathwaite as Barbadians in the modern era to accomplish the feat.
Rather than slowing down, Wickham carried his form seamlessly into the second match of the series, hammering another century, 105 this time, on Tuesday to continue his remarkable run.
Sir Curtly reflects on early signs of greatness
Speaking on the Mason and Guest radio program on Tuesday, Sir Curtly revealed that he recognized Wickham’s potential years ago while working with the West Indies Under-19 setup.
The Antiguan great said he was convinced early that the young batter possessed the qualities needed to succeed at the highest level.
“I worked with him with the Under-19s a few years ago and I told Floyd Reifer that this guy has so much talent that if he gets an opportunity I believe he will go really far,” Sir Curtly said.
He added simply:
“He is a wonderful talent.”
A rising force in Caribbean cricket
Wickham’s surge has become one of the defining early narratives of the regional season, not only because of the volume of runs but also the authority with which they have been scored.
At just 23 years old, the Barbados batter is already demonstrating the temperament and consistency associated with far more experienced players, while his stroke play has helped energize the Barbados Pride batting lineup.
With three centuries already to his name and endorsements arriving from one of the most respected figures in West Indies cricket history, Wickham’s emergence is beginning to look less like a hot streak and more like the arrival of a major Caribbean batting force.
